Chief Executive Officer
Edmonton Global
Status: Open Location: Edmonton, AB
The Organization
Edmonton Global is a foreign direct investment (FDI) and international business development company representing 14 municipalities in the Edmonton Region. Committed to transforming and growing the regional economy, Edmonton Global works closely with its municipal shareholders to position the Edmonton Region as a premier destination for global investment.
With a vision of building a sustainable and prosperous future, Edmonton Global acts as a key connector—facilitating relationships between local businesses, investors, and a network of innovation and support partners. The organization collaborates closely with economic development agencies, industry leaders, government, academia, and Indigenous communities to drive economic growth and global competitiveness.
Internationally, Edmonton Global promotes the Region as a top location for sustainable investment, attracting foreign direct investment and strengthening trade opportunities. Through strategic partnerships with organizations such as Invest Alberta, Explore Edmonton, and the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, Edmonton Global enhances regional economic potential by fostering innovation, supporting business expansion, and building meaningful connections across industries and governments.
For more information, please visit their website here.
The Opportunity
Reports to: | The Board of Directors through the Board Chair |
Direct Reports: | Executive Vice President, Investment & Trade Vice President, Marketing & Communications Manager, Corporate Services Executive Assistant |
Location: | Edmonton, Alberta |
Mandate
Edmonton Global seeks a visionary leader to serve as their next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The successful candidate will guide a powerhouse region bursting with untapped potential, generating $110 billion in GDP and powered by 1.5 million talented individuals who are fiercely progressive and passionately entrepreneurial. The new CEO will champion the Edmonton Region’s unique ability to be simultaneously pro-business and pro-environment while driving ambitious growth in Canada’s fastest-expanding metropolitan area. This rare leadership opportunity offers the chance to shape a place where bold ideas flourish, different perspectives are embraced, and the selected leader will help write the next chapter of prosperity that will impact the entire region.
This dynamic leader will serve as both an ambassador and catalyst for economic transformation in the Edmonton Region. The CEO will provide visionary leadership and strategic management, driving Edmonton Global’s mission to attract investment, foster innovation, and strengthen global competitiveness.
Guiding a team of dedicated professionals, the CEO will develop and implement forward-thinking policies and initiatives that position the Edmonton Region as a premier destination for sustainable investment. This role demands an influential leader who can champion Edmonton Global’s goals, amplify its impact, and build strong relationships with shareholders, municipal leaders, government officials, and key stakeholders. By cultivating collaboration and advocacy at the highest levels, the CEO will play a pivotal role in shaping the future prosperity of the Region.
Key Accountabilities
Economic Development & Investment Attraction
- Champion the Edmonton Region on the global stage; attracting investment, driving trade, and positioning the region as a top-tier economic hub.
- Deliver tangible value to member municipalities by securing high-impact investments, fostering economic growth, creating jobs, and aligning with regional development priorities.
Relationship Leadership
- Foster strong and trusting relationships with shareholders, municipal administrators, government officials, and industry leaders.
- Keep interested parties informed and engaged, ensuring collaboration and alignment on economic development initiatives.
- Serve as the primary liaison with government agencies, economic development organizations, and influential leaders in the region.
- Act as the chief spokesperson for Edmonton Global, representing the organization in media and public forums.
- Drive engagement efforts to promote awareness of Edmonton Global’s initiatives and economic development efforts.
Strategic & Governance Leadership
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of Edmonton Global, ensuring alignment with its mandate and strategic objectives.
- Develop and implement strategic and business plans, performance measures, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive success.
- Provide leadership, support, and strategic advice to the Board and Chair, including guiding the development of Edmonton Global’s strategic vision.
- Ensure Board and Committee agendas, meeting schedules, and materials are effectively developed and aligned with organizational goals with input from the Board and Chair.
Operational & People Leadership
- Establish an effective organizational structure, talent strategy, and succession plan to build a high-performing team.
- Monitor performance and oversee the execution of key initiatives, ensuring adaptability in response to changing internal and external factors.
- Cultivate a culture of collaboration and empowerment, ensuring a diverse competency set is represented within the organization.
Financial Leadership
- Ensure appropriate preparation and management of budgets, financial reports, and audited statements to support sound and transparent financial stewardship of Edmonton Global and any of its subsidiaries.
- Apply and uphold by-laws, policies, and best practices to manage public funds responsibly.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will have the following:
Education:
- An undergraduate degree in an appropriate and relevant discipline. A graduate degree is welcomed.
Experience:
- Senior Management Experience: A progressive track record in senior leadership roles within industry, business, agencies, boards, or government. Experience with municipal/provincial governments or quasi-judicial boards is preferred.
- Relationship-Building Experience: Proven success in cultivating and maintaining strong relationships in a complex and evolving ecosystem. Types of relationships might include municipal shareholders, businesses, investors, government agencies, boards, community organizations, and the public.
- Political Environment Experience: A background in roles requiring engagement with political processes and decision-making, particularly within the Edmonton Municipal Region and Alberta.
- Experience Managing High-Profile Issues: A history of handling contentious and complex issues in highly political environments, working with stakeholders to navigate challenges.
- Interpersonal and Decision-Making Experience: A record of collaborating with diverse teams, making informed decisions, and communicating effectively in both verbal and written formats.
- Strategic Leadership Experience: A background in assessing complex information and diverse viewpoints to guide organizations through effective, strategic decision-making.
- Governance Experience: Direct experience working with a Board of Directors, contributing to effective governance and organizational oversight.
- Experience Managing in Dynamic Environment: A history of successfully leading organizations through heavy workloads, changing priorities, and evolving challenges.
Competencies and Attributes:
- Relationship Building – Focuses on building trust and credibility with municipal shareholders and key stakeholders. Understands the importance of identifying potential partners and working collaboratively to further Edmonton Global’s goals. Demonstrates an ability to develop and maintain win-win relationships and strong partnerships.
- Regional Vision and Commitment – A genuine belief in and advocacy for the region, embodying enthusiasm, excitement, and belief in the Edmonton Global model. Passionate about driving the region’s economic growth and success through a committed, outward-facing approach.
- Politically Astute – Knows and understands governance, legislative, and regulatory processes and has the ability to read the political implications of recommendations and actions. Works effectively with elected officials and understands the importance of collaborating closely with regional municipalities, as well as federal and provincial governments.
- Leadership Skills – Demonstrates a visionary, collaborative, and coaching leadership. Supports and empowers staff, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation.
- Self-Awareness – Understands personal strengths and has the confidence to surround themselves with strong leaders who bring complementary skills to the team. Demonstrates humility and a commitment to fostering a high-performing leadership team that collectively drives organizational success.
- Human Resource Management – Possesses excellent human resource management knowledge and strong interpersonal skills to work positively with staff. Cultivates an empowering and collaborative culture, bringing diverse individuals together and promoting strong team dynamics through effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
- Financial Sustainability Mindset – Has a clear understanding of how to create sustainable financial models for the organization, including the development of for-profit subsidiaries to support long-term growth and financial stability. Proven ability to work within the constraints of a budget, ensuring timely reporting of all financial information.
- Strategic and Business Planning – Provides executive leadership on the development of strategic and operational planning initiatives and ensures accountability for the achievement of results.
- Project Management – Demonstrates an ability to successfully complete initiatives and projects, including scheduling, planning, and resourcing. Skilled at leading initiatives and project teams to deliver results according to expectations.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Edmonton Global celebrates the rich diversity that makes our community unique. As the largest northernmost metro region in North America, the Edmonton Region thrives on embracing a culture that values individuality, creativity, and the joy of doing things a little differently. Edmonton Global is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team benefits and is essential to service excellence. Applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies are valued.
Application Instructions
If this opportunity excites you, please send an application, including a resume and cover letter, to connect@mullenleadership.com with the position title and organization name in the subject line of your email on or before May 9th 2025.